Method and apparatus for treatment of water-borne contaminants

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, bioplastic, mobile, floating oil spill mechanical/biological recovery system is dimensionally compact, and quick to assemble. The floating platform can be readily positioned within any waterborne oil/contaminant spill area. After assembly, this platform or apparatus can be directed by either a hand-held digital radio control transmitter or GPS directed mechanism. A lower, multi-roller slip-on belt is designed to be mounted over a circular base support aeration hub assembly with alternating/spaced slotted ring water drainage separators. The belt and aeration assemblies dip bioaugmentation product into the contaminant site thereby exposing microorganisms to both oxygen and target contaminant for treatment and metabolism. Various mechanisms for enhancing metabolic activity of the bioaugmentation product operate in tandem with the primary belt and aeration assemblies to promote effective contaminant metabolism and overall treatment regimes.

PRIOR HISTORY

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/355,279, filed 30 Apr. 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

This application, by way of its parent application, also claims thebenefit of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/066592 filedin the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as theInternational Receiving Office on 27 Nov. 2012, which InternationalPatent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/629,795, filed in the USPTO on 28 Nov. 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus forcleaning water-borne contaminants. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the conditionsfor bioactive treatment while simultaneously delivering bioactive mediaat a water-borne contaminant site for cleanup thereof via bioactiveagents/media.

Discussion of the Prior Art

Oil spills are a problem that occasion developments in oil exploration,drilling, and transporting activities. The increasing frequency of oilspill events on waterways, including lakes, streams, rivers, and oceanshas been responsible for devastating long-term effects to ecologicallysensitive macro and micro ecological environments. In addition,dependency of worldwide demand upon petroleum based products, includingrefined oil, gasoline, and diesel products, is unlikely to diminish inthe immediate future.

Many oil spill items/devices have been offered for oil capture andcontainment. Many require exceptional manpower requirements andtraining, often necessary access to utilities sources, heavy supportequipment or restrictive area site preparation for dimensionallycumbersome or heavy process components. All systems must address theultimate site preparation and disposal mandates of captured oil wastepromulgated by state and federal regulatory agencies.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an oil spill recovery systemthat is environmentally friendly, simple to operate and effective inrapidly containing and disposing of oil spill operations mishaps of anymagnitude while minimizing on-the-job training requirements, space,ultimate disposal and costly manpower/equipment operation andmaintenance concerns let alone immediate surrounding ecological impactpressures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a lightweight, all bioplastic mobilefloating oil spill mechanical/biological recovery system. The describedfloating oil spill recovery and biological treatment system is adimensionally compact, quick to assemble floating platform that could bereadily positioned within any waterborne oil/contaminant spill area.

After assembly, this platform or apparatus can be directed by either ahand-held digital radio control transmitter from shore, floating vessel,and aircraft or coupled with a more sophisticated Unmanned Air Vehicle(e.g. an Aeryon's Scout) with a Global Positioning System (GPS)Latitude-Longitude signal transmitting/receiver package. The presentinvention was designed for either type of directional control.

The present invention incorporates a prewired architecture, basecontactor “drop-in” equipment tray to hold such components. A pair ofspecialized stabilizer bioplastic veneer, buoyant foam, flow-directingfloats, attached by way of “slip-on” DC power transmissioncontact/mounting pegs to the “wave suppressor” main bioplastic platform,has mounted stern servo/rudder arrangements with a pair ofself-contained submerged belt turbine-cup style propulsion impellerbelts to move the device to the spill site.

These specialized “flow directional” full length floats work insynchrony with a pair of bioplastic main platform girders which act asdirection enhancing centerboards, aids in the first initial assemblystep of the main platform table, adding terrain surface to the mainplatform clearance protection for the rotating Aeration Hub Assembly and“outfitter stabilizer” floats.

These bioplastic girders provide clearance when the platform is floatingat operating water level from any underwater terrain obstructions plusact as supporting rails to slide over the shoreline into the water afterland assembly.

A lower, multi-roller slip-on belt is designed to be mounted over acircular base support aeration hub assembly with alternating/spacedslotted ring water drainage separators. The “belt” is secured by a pairof separate “lipped” circular x pitched, perforated blade retainerliquid “aeration” hubs extruded of currently available bioplasticmaterials.

These hubs are held in place by a threaded spanner nut-locked hollowbioplastic material shaft which is slid through sleeve insert pillowbearing (two point) supports. This drive shaft is locked in place by an“indexed shear pin set” within a D.C. synchronous female “dual” drivecoupling. This same arrangement is duplicated on tandem centerline ofthe “opposite end hub” configuration.

The aforementioned slide-on belt's individual rollers are held by centerrods to a large composite pair of “set rings” (installed with flatroller stem ends facing inward toward the D.C. motor drive Couplingwhile the threaded locking wing nut end faces outward to “shroud cavityopening”.

Ring “pegs” for the upper adjustable “pressure setting” recovered oilslotted x internal auger roller “assembly” are mounted on the lowerroller attachment ring facing outward (@ 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) towardthe “shroud oil capture cavity”. These peg actuators are positioned toactuate the upper internal auger to periodically move deposited capturedoil towards the upper collector header for gravity flow to the roundsubmerged collapsible storage tank.

The lower rollers consist of two (2) elements: (1) an outer pliableopen-pore formed foam-like sleeve is affixed over a firmer durometerpliable perforated “support septum” (i.e. core), and (2) an inner “slitcut” pliable “holding tube for either, or both, granulate/liquid.Commercially available bacterial bioaugmentation product fits firmlywithin the pliable support septum of the outer roller. The innerflexible “slit cut” filler tube, when the adjustable pressure is appliedby the upper roller, will “press-eject” hydrated, log growth phasebacteria through these tube sealing perforated end caps”. These same endcaps also align the securing roller center rods to the outermulti-roller slip-on belt mounting ring.

Among other objectives and features, the lower individual slip-on beltrollers: (1) activate bioaugmentation products for cycled “pressureejection” on both roller ends for directed, concentrated areadistribution of substrate specific bacteria within “oil spill plumes”;(2) provide a measure of insulation for water temperature variations;(3) provide a measure of incubation time within the slit tube retainedbio-product; (4) provides surface adhesion for polar and non-polar oilspill dispersions; (5) provide for favorable biofilm development(thickness controlled by the upper roller pressure adjustment) forenhanced “biodegradation”; and (6) provide bulk water drainage anddirects released water to the circular base support element separatorrings for aeration “cascade flow” through the central drive hubslotted/pitched turbine aeration “saturator blades” (this action allowsfor optimum water temperature limiting saturation index oxygenation forbacterial ‘log growth” support requirements); and (7) provide greater“biofilm development/surface area contact/adhesion exposure area” than a“flat belt” design.

PRIMARY PARTS LIST

-   -   1. Main platform    -   2. Girder    -   3. Float, left    -   4. Float, right    -   5. DC motor, impeller drive    -   6. Lock pin, float    -   7. Impeller    -   8. Rudder    -   9. Generator, water-based    -   10. Generator, air-based, on float    -   11. Tank, aerobic, with straps    -   12. Tank, anoxic    -   13. Motor, turbine    -   14. Motor shaft, turbine    -   15. Bristle ring bands    -   16. Aeration hub assembly    -   17. Lower roller ring, inner    -   18. Lower rollers    -   19. Lower roller ring, outer    -   20. Wing nut for internal roller support rods    -   21. Hub, motor shaft    -   22. Upper roller housing with integral mini-fore/aft distributor        rollers    -   23. Upper roller    -   24. Auger    -   25. Auger activator    -   26. Tension control handle    -   27. Shroud    -   28. Solar panel    -   29. Nozzle/drain tube    -   30. Battery tray    -   31. Battery    -   32. GPS    -   33. Fuel Cell    -   34. Generator, air-based on battery tray    -   170. Combination Battery Strength/USCG Red/Green Marker Strobe        lights

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from aconsideration of the following brief descriptions of illustrations ofthe subject invention:

FIG. 1 is a left top perspective view of the apparatus for treatingwater-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left top exploded perspective view of the apparatus fortreating water-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right top perspective view of the apparatus for treatingwater-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for treatingwater-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary frontal elevational view of certain portions ofthe apparatus for treating water-borne contaminants with parts beingremoved to more clearly show the water/contaminant surface line relativeto floats and an aeration hub assembly according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus for treatingwater-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus for treating water-bornecontaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus for treating water-bornecontaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus for treatingwater-borne contaminants according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the basic metabolic process harnessed andenhanced by the apparatus and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 11(a)(1) is an end perspective view of a radially inner cylinderconstruction with end cap open for receiving and housing thebioaugmentation product or microorganism culture according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11(a)(2) is an end perspective view of a radially inner cylinderconstruction with end cap open with an optional foam insert constructionfor receiving and housing liquid bioaugmentation product ormicroorganism culture according to the present invention.

FIG. 11(b) is a top perspective view of the radially inner cylinderconstruction with end cap closed thereby housing the bioaugmentationproduct or microorganism culture according to the present invention.

FIG. 11(c) is a top perspective view of the roller cylinder assemblywith radially outer cylinder construction encasing the radially innercylinder construction housing the bioaugmentation product ormicroorganism culture according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top exploded perspective view of a cylinder assembly arrayaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top exploded perspective view of a cylinder assembly arrayand aeration hub assembly combination according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 13(a) is an anterior perspective view of an aeration hub assemblyaccording to the present invention outfitted with bristled ring bandspositioned in radially outer adjacency to drainage slots formed in theradially outer portion of the aeration hub assembly.

FIG. 13(b) is a fragmentary enlarged depiction of varied length bristlesas sectioned from the bristled ring bands otherwise depicted in FIG.13(a).

FIG. 14(a) is a top exploded perspective view of a bioactive substrateejection assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 14(b) is a first top perspective view of a nozzle drain tube headeraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 15(a) is a second top perspective view of a nozzle drain tubeheader according to the present invention.

FIG. 15(b) is a top perspective view of a tank assembly comprising anupper bellows type tank and a lower or outer doughnut shaped tankassembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 15(c) is a diagrammatic depiction of a submersible pump assemblyotherwise receivable in the tank assembly shown in FIG. 15(b) depictedas re-circulating bioactive material back to the bioactive substrateejection assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 16(a) is a top perspective view of the left girder elementaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16(b) is a top perspective view of the left float assemblyaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic depiction of the power sourcing, powerdelivery, and power consuming mechanisms according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a top exploded perspective view of the drop in contact trayhousing batteries, GPS module, fuel cell, and red-green batterystrength/USCG marker strobe lights with wind generation unit explodedtherefrom.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the apparatus according to thepresent invention with parts removed to highlight certain otherwisehidden structures and power delivery pathways.

FIG. 19(a) is a fragmentary exploded depiction of a portion of theplatform, exploded to show otherwise hidden power delivery conductors.

FIG. 20 is a top exploded perspective view of a float assembly accordingto the present invention with various add-on sub-assemblies associatedtherewith.

FIG. 21 is a top frontal perspective view of a solar cell shroudconstruction according to the present invention showing a series ofsolar cell modules arranged along the outer arc length of the shroud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT/METHODOLOGY

Referencing the drawings with more specificity, the reader will see thatthe contaminant treatment system or apparatus 200 according to thepresent invention attempts to harness and enhance thenaturally-occurring metabolic activities of biologically activemicroorganisms as generically referenced at 102 to intake a contaminantsubstrate 101 (e.g. oil spill materials or similar other contaminants);biologically or metabolically process the contaminant substrate 101; andoutput various less harmful or innocuous by-products as at 103.

After assembly, this platform or apparatus 200 can be directed to acontamination site by either a hand-held digital radio controltransmitter from shore, floating vessel, or aircraft or coupled with amore sophisticated Unmanned Air Vehicle (e.g. an Aeryon's Scout) with aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) Latitude-Longitude signaltransmitting/receiver package. A generic GPS platform based module isdepicted and referenced at 32. The present invention was designed foreither type of directional control.

Oxygen as diagrammatically depicted and referenced at 100 is essentialto the biological processes harnessed and enhanced by the presentinvention. The other essential component is the targeted contaminant orsubstrate essentially viewed as food by the microorganism(s) orbioaugmentation product 102. Referencing FIG. 10, the reader will see adiagrammatic depiction of the basic metabolic process whereby aerobicbacteria or microorganisms 102 in the presence of organics orcontaminants 101 and (dissolved) oxygen 100 will immediately start todecompose the organics or contaminants 101.

The decomposition process is essentially a metabolic process 105 wherebyCO₂ (106); H₂O (107); energy 108; and stabilized, innocuous, solidorganic residues (109) are produced as by-products 103. The solidorganic residues 109 easily settle out of the liquid-based mixture andnew microorganisms 110 are formed 111 whereafter the process can berepeated and accelerated in a log exponential growth pattern given idealenvironmental conditions in which the microorganisms 102 and 110 canthrive.

There is only one basic need for aeration or oxygenation in anybiological wastewater treatment system. That need is to supply oxygen100 for respiration of microorganisms 102. Respiration is part of thetotal cellular process of utilization of organic substrates and creationof energy known as metabolism. In this aerobic metabolic pathway,organics are broken down into CO₂ and H₂ ions. The hydrogen is passedalong a respiratory chain where it creates high energy packets ofphosphates. At the end of the chain it combines with oxygen to formwater.

The process of transporting the oxygen and its combination with hydrogenis known as respiration. In a dynamic system, change is constantlyoccurring in (1) the amount of substrate or food (i.e. the oil spillmaterial or similar other contaminant); (2) the number of viablemicroorganism; (3) the amount of energy created; (4) the amount ofoxygen utilized; and (5) the amount of CO₂ produced.

Bacteria are simple, colorless, one-celled microorganisms that usesoluble food and are capable of self-reproduction without sunlight.Bacteria range in size from approximately 0.5 to 5 microns and,therefore, are only visible through a microscope or similar otherinstrument. Bacterial reproduction is by binary fission, that is, a celldivides into two new cells every 15-30 minutes in ideal conditions.

These aerobes require free dissolved oxygen in decomposing organicmatter to gain energy for growth and multiplication. Commerciallyavailable liquid/granular bioaugmentation products that would beincorporated into the roller cylinders 18 could conceivably contain avariety of bacterial genera, including Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium,Bacillus, and Pseudomonas. Additionally, pH buffers and inorganicnutrients are generally included in many supplier formulations toend-user specifications.

Notably, during the metabolic process 105, particularly in a heavilycontaminated environment, oxygen levels 100 can be quickly depleted.Accordingly, the apparatus 200 according to the present invention makescentral to its design the creation of an oxygenated environment at thecontamination site so that the microorganisms 102/110 can thrive in moreideal environment and thus more aggressively metabolize 105 thecontaminant field 101. Other secondary functions of the apparatus 200,however, include providing an attachment surface for additionalbiodegrading films, similar to those found on current best availabletreatment wastewater tricking filters and rotating biologicalcontactors.

To achieve these primary objectives, the system or apparatus 200according to the present invention preferably includes or comprises apair of in-line or coaxial aeration hub assemblies as generally depictedand referenced at 16. The aeration hub assemblies are located at opposedends of the apparatus 200 as comparatively depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6.Each aeration hub assembly 16 is preferably formed of or constructedfrom bioplastic material(s), and has a circular transversecross-section, and an axis of rotation 112 about which the aeration hubassemblies 16 rotate (as diagrammatically depicted at vectors 113),preferably in a clockwise manner for enabling worm gear type progressionof certain bioactive materials as discussed in more detail later in thespecifications that follow.

The axis of rotation 112 is preferably positioned in parallel superioradjacency to the water or spill surface as at 114. To achieve therotational motion, a bioplastic platform 1 according to the presentinvention has attached thereto a motor as at 13 as perhaps best seen inFIG. 19. The motor 13 may preferably be exemplified by a secured, dualcoupling, ⅓ HP, variable speed DC environmentally protected, synchronousmotor. This motor 13 is attached to a pair of hollow bioplastic, femalecoupling, spline-locked shafts 14, the axes of which define the axis ofrotation 112. The coaxial shafts 14 extend through oversized,zerk-fitted, vegetable grease-lubricated pillow bearings 115 for optimallow maintenance overhung load shaft support. The motor 13 enablesrotation as at vectors 113 about the axis of rotation 112.

Each of the aeration hub assemblies 16 is outfitted with a diamondbasket weave construction as at 116, which constructions 116 arepartially immersed below the water or spill surface 114 roughly onequarter of the overall hub diameter(s) 117. The primary intended purposeof the aeration hub assemblies 16 is to enhance and maintain thedissolved oxygen growth requirements of commercially available,substrate specific, aerobic genera of liquid or granular bioaugmentationformulations used for the specific waste stream type to be treated. Anadded benefit of the aeration hub assemblies 16 is to maximizetemperature(s) for the oxygen solubility index of the surrounding spillwater area.

The basket weave construction 116 essentially operates to chum the wateror spill materials at or adjacent the surface line 114 (not specificallyillustrated) so that proper oxygen growth requirements are met.Positioned over the aeration hub assemblies 16 are bio-film/waterdrainage ring bands as depicted and referenced at 15. The ring bands 15are elastomeric and are elastically deformed and stretched to circum fitover or around the hub assemblies 16. In other words, the ring bands 15are positioned over the full diameter and width of the aforementionedrotating pair of diamond basket weave aeration hub assemblies 16. Thering bands 15 are positioned so as to cover drainage slots 118 formed inthe radially outer portion 119 of the aeration hub assemblies 16. Thesering bands 15 are secured in position by way of end rings, including aninner end ring 17 and an outer end ring 19.

The ring bands 15 are preferably outfitted with varied length, surfacearea enhancing polyethylene bristles 120. The ring bands 15, outfittedwith varied length, surface area enhancing polyethylene bristles 120,uniformly direct contaminant spill or oil spill drainage water into athin film descending cascade over the concave aeration hub assemblies 16(through the slots 118) and lower roller cylinder assemblies 18 toreturn the cascading material to the oil spill water area for desiredarea turbulence and eventual biological product contact of thesurrounding, induced, vortexed water/contaminant mixture opposite thepair of rotating aeration hub assemblies 16, and roller cylinderassemblies 18. This wastewater treatment regime allows for the gradualdevelopment of suspended-attached biological film (or “schmutzdecke”)having roughly 3.12×10⁻² inch thickness to form an added measure ofbiological “contact degradation” of the descending oil/contaminant filmwastewater.

As prefaced above, installed and located in radial outer adjacency tothe aeration hub assemblies 16 and ring bands 15 are roller cylinderassemblies 18 according to the present invention. Each of the rollercylinder assemblies 18 comprise a radially outer or external open pore(as at 124) foam casing, sheath, or envelope as at 121; a radiallyinternal slit cut, 60 durometer, flexible, dual-ejector end-capped,flexible tube as at 122; and centralized, full length bioplasticalignment rods, the outside threaded stem ends of which are referencedat 123.

Threadably attachable to the stem ends 123 are bioplastic wing nuts 20,which wing nuts 20 secure bioplastic full circle attachment end ring asat 17 and 19 to the roller cylinder assemblies 18. The commerciallyavailable bioaugmentation granular/liquid product 102 are poured as at125 into the radially inner cylinder construction 122 as generallydepicted and referenced in FIG. 11(a). Pores 126 at the end of the tube122 enable bioactive product to escape (as at 160) the tube 122 andenable moisture and contaminant to enter the tube 122. The internalflexible cylinders 122 hold the commercially available bioaugmentationgranular/liquid product 102 for the required moisture activation. A foaminsert 174 may be inserted into tube 122 for liquid product.

The roller cylinder assemblies 18 preferably rotate in a clockwisemanner as at vectors 113 inducing a surface water oil/contaminant spillfilm vortex current to spiral towards (as at 127) the aforementionedaeration hub assemblies 16 to facilitate the mechanical surface contactadsorption of the polar/nonpolar oil/contaminant by the clockwiserotating 113 open-pore 124/126 dipping pick-up action of the rollercylinder assemblies 18.

The radially outer or external open pore foam casing, sheath, orenvelope as at 121 of the roller cylinder assemblies 18 also provides ameasure of internal incubator temperature control for their internalflexible bioproduct-contained slit tubes 122. The moisture activated,commercially available, granular/liquid bioaugmentation product'snecessary initial log-growth is enhanced and maintained by the outer orexternal open-pore foam insulative barrier provided by the casing 121.The developed log growth stage bacterial cells are then pressure ejectedthrough solid, perforated 126 end caps 128 at both ends of the internalslit-cut cylinders 122 to both the spill area and external surface ofthe rotating open cell dipping foam cylinder casings 121.

The aforementioned clockwise-rotating aeration hub assemblies 16 andsurface water spill oil/contaminant-dipping, open-foam roller cylinderassemblies 18 eject certain volumes of bioactive material. The ejectionvolumes are preferably manually controlled by a pair of 2-positionhandles 26 located on upper pressure roller housing 22 which houses orcooperates with an upper roller 23; an auger element 24; an augeractivator or actuator 25; and the tension control handle 26. Besidessupplying adjustable pressure to the lower rotating roller cylinderassemblies 18 for bioproduct ejection, adsorbed open pore foamagglomerated oil/contaminant is press-skimmed by the hard bioplastic,slotted roller 23.

This hard slotted-surface roller 23 also contains an internalfree-wheeling helical auger as at 24 actuated by pegs 128 mounted atregular intervals on the lower rotating cylindrical array end ring 19.Comparatively referencing FIGS. 7-9, the reader will see that the pegs128 extend outwardly a sufficient length to occasionally contact theactuator 25 during clockwise rotation 113. Periodic peg contact with theshaft end-mounted, tri-lobe actuator(s) 25 outfitted at the end of theinternal auger(s) 24 will periodically turn the auger 24counter-clockwise (as at 129) at intervals to allow the accumulated oilwaste to spiral feed (as at 130) to the nozzle drain tube header 29.

Located below the main bioplastic base support platform 1 is acenterline cross bar-supported, centerline-positioned, bellows-stylepolyethylene, captured bioactivated spill oil/contaminant storage tank11. Once the oil/contaminant waste is fed (as at 131) to the nozzledrain tube header 29, the accumulated oil waste will flow (as at 132) bygravity through a quick-coupled drain hose 133 for collection andfurther bacterial contact time within the expandable bellows-type,polyethylene, 250 gallon capacity tank 11 mounted on center of gravitycenterline below the main bioplastic platform 1.

Installed within the holding tank 11 there is a 12 Volt, 2.5 Amp, DCvolt-powered, 360 gallons per hour ring float buoyed,micro-switch-actuated, level adjustable, rod mount supported submersiblestyle pump 134 (as exemplified by either a DC centrifugal or diaphragmrecycle pump) as generally depicted in FIG. 15(c). It is contemplatedthat the pump 134 may preferably and essentially comprise a DC powersource connection 139; a threaded tank flange 140; an adjustable setlevel micro-switch 141; a rod guide 142; a float ring 143; a retainerring 144; and a safety stop washer 145.

The described submersible pump 134 fits within a dedicated femalethreaded coupling on the top of the storage tank 11. This incorporatedpump 134, with accompanying quick coupled 0.50 inch inner diameterflex-tube fittings 136, will be used to recycle (as at 135), atpredetermined tank levels, a specific volume through this tubing 136,bioactivated tank content liquor to a snap-in, clip-mounted (as at 138),0.50 inch inner diameter perforated distribution header 137.

The distribution header 137 is positioned over the inlet side of theupper roller housing 22. This recycle methodology allows for abeneficial re-inoculation and bio-turgor enhancement while also actingon fresh incoming adsorbed oil/contaminant substrate collected on thesurface of the clockwise rotating dipping/adsorption foam open-porecylinder assemblies 18 and aeration hub assemblies 16. The apparatus 200may thus be referred to as providing an enhanced incrementalbiodegradation process. This procedure mimics the best availabletechnology engineering standard for a trickling filter and rotatingbiological contactor wastewater treatment regime.

Tank wings 165 of tank 11 feed through slots 166 formed in the girders 2to prevent girders 2 from deviating from a normal vertical orientation.A pair of specialized stabilizer bioplastic veneer, buoyant foam,flow-directing floats 3 and 4 is attached by way of “slip-on” DC powertransmission contact/mounting pegs 161 to the “wave suppressor” mainbioplastic platform 1. Each float 3 and 4 has mounted stem servo/rudderarrangements 8 with a pair of self-contained submerged belt turbine-cupstyle propulsion impeller belts 7 to move the apparatus 200 to the spillor contamination site.

These specialized “flow directional” full length floats 3 and 4 work insynchrony with a pair of bioplastic main platform girders 2 which act asdirection enhancing centerboards, aid in the first initial assembly stepof the main platform table, adding terrain surface to the main platformclearance protection for the rotating aeration hub assemblies 16 and“outfitter stabilizer” floats 3 and 4. These bioplastic girders 2provide clearance when the platform is floating at operating water level114 from any underwater terrain obstructions plus act as supportingrails to slide over the shoreline into the water after land assembly.

An optional installed feature offered by the apparatus 200 is acomplementary, secondary, clear polyethylene, close-fitting,slip-over-bellows design, exterior doughnut-shaped tank as depicted andreferenced at 12. This tank 12 allows the owner-operator to utilize acurrent hydrogen generation technology fuel cell (as at 33) tocomplement the installed (a) water-type DC-generating devices as at 9;(b) wind-type DC-generating devices as at 10 and 34; and (c) solar-typeDC-generating devices as at 28.

The DC-generating devices 9/10/34/28 supply the deep cycle, lithiumstorage batteries 31 which provide DC voltage on demand as apower-sourcing means to the stern-mounted, 1,750 RPM, propulsion motors5 connected to the submerged float, cupped turbine belt propulsiondrives 7; servo-actuated rudders 8; and bioplastic main platform 1 dualcoupled drive ⅓ HP motor 13 responsible for rotating the hollowbioplastic drive shafts 14 connected to the tandem aeration hubassemblies 16 and locked by the hub lock finial 21.

The slip-over tank 12 is supplied with two capped tank base drains 146;4-point electrode capped entry ports 147; one bioplastic set pressureadjustable spring overflow vent porting valve, including two capped topmounted threaded nipples for required quick coupled tubing fittings byone-way check valves for collecting/directing generated hydrogen to thefuel cell inlets provided. Hydrogen gas is a product of some types ofanaerobic metabolism and is produced by several types of microorganisms,usually via reactions catalyzed by iron- or nickel-containing enzymescalled hydrogenases. These enzymes catalyze the reversible redoxreaction between H₂ and its component two protons and two electrons.

The following sampling is provided as an example. Simple water splittingin which water is decomposed into its component protons, electrons, andoxygen by applying a specific DC voltage (usually 0.5-1.5 DC volts) toselected electrode materials to liberate H₂ gas. These phenomena canalso occur in light reactions in all photosynthetic organisms. Some suchorganisms, including the alga Chalamydomonas reinhardi and blue-greenalga cyanobacteria have evolved a step in the dark reactions in whichprotons and electrons are reduced to form H₂ gas by specializedhydrogenases in their chloroplasts.

More recently, scientists from the Swiss research institute EMPA,University of Basel and the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinoisdiscovered that by harvesting a light harvesting plant protein withtheir specially designed electrode, could boost the efficiency ofphoto-electrochemical cells used to split water and produce H₂ gas.These methods of generated H₂ gas would be collected and directedthrough appurtenances similar to those listed for the slip over tank 12.

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC's) use the catalytic reaction ofmicroorganisms to convert virtually any biodegradable, dissolved organicmatter (e.g. glucose, acetate, human/agricultural/industrial wastewater)into H₂ fuel and simultaneously clean the waste water. Organic matter isenclosed around oxygen-free (e.g. Liquipel or Nafion hydrophobicnanocoated) anodes and organic compounds are consumed by bacteria orother microbes. As part of the digestive process, electrons are pulledfrom the fuel and conducted into the circuit with the help of mediatorchemicals. MFC's operate in mild conditions between 68-104 degreesFahrenheit.

Other types of fuel cells are Regenerative Fuel Cells and Zinc Air FuelCells. Regenerative Fuel Cells (RFC's) are a closed loop form of powergeneration. Water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen by a solar powerelectrolyzer, and then is directed to the fuel cell, where heat andwater are generated. The by-product is re-circulated back to theelectrolyzer where the process begins again. Zinc Air Fuel Cells(ZAFC's) combine zinc pellets with air with an electrolyte to createelectricity, generating significantly more power than lead-acidbatteries of the same weight.

With regard to solar cell technology, it is noted that there are manycomponents that make up a complete solar cell system, but the four mainitems are: solar modules as at 28; charge controllers asdiagrammatically depicted at 148; batteries 31; solar connectors 149;and inverters if AC power is required. The solar modules 28 arephysically mounted on a shroud structure 27 according to the presentinvention, and the DC power they produce is directed (wired) through acharge controller 148 before it goes on to the battery 31 bank where itis stored. The two main functions of a charge controller 148 are toprevent the battery 31 from being overcharged and eliminate any reversecurrent flow from the batteries 31 back to the solar modules 28 atnight.

The battery bank 31 stores the energy produced by the solar module array28 and the wind/water generators 9/10/34 during the day for use at anytime of day or night. Batteries come in many sizes and grades. Manysolar electric panel systems will not produce electricity without director diffused sunlight. The apparatus 200 is preferably supplied with atotal of 24 concave 24 inch by 24 inch flexible solar modules or cells28 mounted on a convex shroud support 27 in order to maximize solarangle capture and also offer a panel surface self-cleaning feature. Oncloudy days, the cells 28 will still be generating electricity thoughnot as much as on sunny days. It is contemplated that the wind and watergenerators 9/10/34 will supply DC voltage to help compensate forovercast day solar energy power depletion.

It is noted that solar power is globally embraced and will workvirtually anywhere, however some locations are better than others.Irradiance is a measure of the sun's power available at the surface ofthe Earth and it averages about 1000 watts per square meter. Withtypical crystalline solar cell efficiencies around 14-23%, these numbersmean one could expect to generate about 140-230 watts per square meterof solar cells placed in full sun.

At the time of this writing, companies like Boeing and Emcore offered aso-called, “triple junction cell” that absorbs a wider bandwidth ofenergy, and thus offers higher efficiency ratings. The Sharp Corporationhas developed a so-called “compound solar cell” that has achievedconversion efficiency, confirmed by Japan's National Institute ofAdvanced Industrial Science and Technology, of 35.8%.

Insolation is a measure of the available energy from the sun and isexpressed in terms of “full sun hours” (i.e. four full sun hours=4 hoursof sunlight at an irradiance level of 1000 watts per square meter).Different parts of the world receive more sunlight than others, so thoseparts receiving more sunlight will have more “full sun hours” per day.The voltage output (Watts=Volts×Amps) from a single square 6 inch by 6inch crystalline solar cell is about 0.5 Volts at a 7 Amp output that isdirectly proportional to the multi-crystalline solar cell's surface area(0.5 V×7 A=3.5 Watts possible from one 6 inch by 6 inch cell).

Typically, solar cells are wired in series in each solar module.Twenty-four 6 inch by 6 inch cells produces a solar module with a 12 Vnominal output (or about 17 V at peak power) that can then be wired inseries and/or parallel with other solar modules to form a complete solararray to charge a 12, 24, or 48 Volt battery bank 31. If the cells arewired in parallel, one increases the Amps. If the cells are wired inseries, one increases the Volts.

The present invention incorporates a prewired architecture, basecontactor “drop-in” equipment tray 30 to hold power-sourcing/controllingcomponents. Incorporated within the bioplastic base platform 1 is asevere service, gasketed, “snap-lock capped-channel” system asgenerically depicted at 150 for generated DC voltage pathways 151deliverable to the tray 30 via contact(s) (as at 153); and DC voltageload power pathways 152 deliverable from the tray 30 via contacts (as at154) (and conductors as at 168) which would allow for the utilization oftransfer options listed hereinafter:

(A) Conventional shielded cable wire to environmentally-sealed componentcontact connections; (B) Silver-aluminum nanocarbon covered low losscircuitry to ½ turn-to-lock sealed contact plates; (C) “Drawn” flexible,flat, mylar based, silver-ink printed sheet circuitry; (D) Carbonnanotube micro-grid technology; and (E) Siemens/Wi-Tricity MagneticCoupled Resonance_(—) This latter option would offer a no-wire scenario,which would utilize a charge controller, power source resonatortransmitter and power capture resonator-receiver coil for direct DCvoltage power transfer.

The present invention further contemplates the inclusion of battery traycombined battery strength/US Coast Guard-required open water red-greenrunning light marker strobes or red-green strobe/battery strengthindicators as generally depicted and referenced at 170 in FIG. 17. A redstrobe is indicated at 171 in FIG. 18, and a green strobe is indicatedat 172 in FIG. 18. This lighting arrangement meets a vessel/obstructionUS Coast Guard (USCG) waterway mandate while also providing thepotential owner/operator an important distant visual indication (anincluded operational preventative maintenance check list item) of theBattery Tray's Li-Ion battery charge strength.

The inherent “finish” aspect of the preferred bioplastic construction(as exemplified by Canadian Solgear Company's TRAVERSE bioplastic)renders a so-called “Rough Surface” or rough surfacing finish 173 afterthe injection part molding-extrusion process. This “Rough Surface” orrough surfacing finish 173 allows any commercial liquid-granularbioproduct (developed, maintained and dual-end ejected within thecircular aeration drum multi-cylinder design) additional biodegrativebiofilm attachment (adhesion) surface area/beneficial “surface areacontact” with the drum design's intentional, rotationally generated,thin-film cascaded aeration pattern for the targeted waste water. Thisrough surfacing aspect of the invention enlarges and enhances thebiozone “contact-mixing surface area” and further enhances theefficiency of the apparatus and system according to the presentinvention overall.

While the foregoing specifications set forth much specificity, the sameshould not be construed as setting forth limits to the invention butrather as setting forth certain preferred embodiments and features. Forexample, as prefaced hereinabove, it is contemplated that the presentinvention essentially provides a water-borne contaminant treatmentapparatus and method. The water-borne contaminant treatment method maybe said to comprise the steps of housing certaincontaminant-metabolizing microorganisms as at 102 within or via certainmicroorganism housing means as exemplified by the individual rollercylinder assemblies 18 and the more systemic cylinder assembly array 155comprising a series of side by side arranged and concentric rollercylinder assemblies 18.

The water-borne contaminant treatment method further preferablycomprises the step of positioning the microorganism housing means asvariously exemplified in (superior) adjacency to water-bornecontaminants. In this regard, it will be recalled that at least oneroller cylinder assembly 18 of the array 155 will be positioned insuperior adjacency to the surface 114 as perhaps best seen in FIGS. 4-6,and 9, whereafter the microorganism housing means are periodicallydipped into the water-borne contaminants or a contaminant environment.

In this regard, the preferred methodology specifies that the step ofpositioning the microorganism housing means in (superior) adjacency tosurface 114 involves the step of positioning an axis of rotation 112 inparallel adjacency to the water-borne contaminant as exemplified bysurface 114. The step of periodically dipping the microorganism housingmeans into the water-borne contaminant is thus preferably operable bycyclic rotation about the axis of rotation 112.

The foregoing descriptions specify a preferred counter-clockwiserotation about axis of rotation 112 (in view of the handedness of auger24). Notably if the worm gear like aspect or handedness of the auger 24were reversed, a counter clockwise rotation about axis of rotation 112would provide substantially equivalent results by periodically engagingthe actuator 25 with pegs 128 from the reverse direction.

The water-borne treatment method involves a periodic or dipping process,and this regard certain microorganism housing means may take the form ofany number of vessels so long as the periodic or dipping action wets thebioaugmentation material in an environment conducive to metabolicprocess. Necessarily the process must involve an oxygenated environment.It is believed that the step of housing the contaminant-metabolizingmicroorganisms in a cylinder assembly array 155 rotatable about the axisof rotation 112, and having a radius of rotation 156 extending into thewater-borne contaminant surface (as at 114) such that individual rollercylinder assemblies 18 are periodically dipped into the water-bornecontaminant yields an environment more conducive to vigorous metabolismfor reasons earlier stated.

The microorganisms or bioaugmentation product is thus exposed to boththe water-borne contaminants and an oxygenated environment via theperiodic or dipping action, whereby the microorganism or bioaugmentationproduct may more readily metabolize the contaminants in the presence ofoxygen into innocuous matter or by-products 103 such as CO₂ (106); H₂(107); energy 108; and stabilized, innocuous, solid organic residues(109).

When housing the microorganisms or bioaugmentation product within theexemplified housing means, the water-borne treatment method may be saidto preferably comprise the further steps of housing the microorganismswithin a radially inner cylindrical construction (as at 122) a rollercylinder assembly as at 18; and adsorbing a contaminant-ladenenvironment such as thin film upon a radially outer cylindricalconstruction as at casing 121 of the roller cylinder assembly 18,thereby enveloping the inner cylindrical construction 122 with anadsorbed outer layer of contaminant substrate for enhancing metabolicactivity of the microorganisms 102. It will be recalled that thetreatment method may further preferably comprise the step of incubatingthe inner cylindrical construction 122 via the outer cylindricalconstruction 121 for further enhancing metabolic activity of themicroorganisms 102.

Further, and particularly important to the practice of the contaminanttreatment method according to the present invention, is the process ofaerating and/or oxygenating the contaminant environment so as toreplenish oxygen levels otherwise depleted by the metabolic activity ofthe microorganisms. In this regard, the contaminant treatment method maybe said to further preferably comprise the step of simultaneouslyaerating the water-borne contaminant with a basket weave construction asat 116 while periodically dipping the microorganism housing means forenhancing contaminant metabolism of the microorganisms 102.

Recall that the preferred basket constructions are concave relative tothe ends of the apparatus 200, and given the concavity of theconstructions, the treatment method may be said to further comprise thestep of vortexing the water-borne contaminant toward the housing meansfor further enhancing the metabolic activity of the microorganisms. Inother words, the structure of the primary aerating mechanism furtheroperates to cycle and localize the bioactive liquid mixture forenhancing the metabolic process.

As may be gleaned from the foregoing discussions, any added structuralfeature and associated method aimed at enhancing the metabolic processis believed highly beneficial to the operation of the apparatus 200.Accordingly, the contaminant treatment method may further preferablycomprise the step of directing bioactive liquid material through certainsurface area enhancement means as exemplified by the bristled ring bandarray 157 situated intermediate the basket construction 116 or aerationhub assembly 16 and the cylinder assembly array 155 for localizing andenhancing metabolic activity of the microorganisms 102.

The contaminant treatment method may further preferably comprise thestep of ejecting bioactive liquid from the cylinder assembly array 155via certain liquid ejection means as exemplified by components 22, 23,24, 25, and 26, which collectively may be said to comprise a bioactivesubstrate ejection assembly 158, which assembly is made cooperable withthe dipping or periodic means earlier specified and exemplified.

The dipping or periodic means operate to periodically actuate the liquidejection means as exemplified by the bioactive substrate ejectionassembly 158 for periodically driving (as at 130) ejected bioactivematter toward a (contained) microorganism metabolic activity site asexemplified by tank 11, whereafter certain contained bioactive mattermay be recycled back (as at 135) to the surface site via the pumpingaction of pump 134 and release action via assembly 158 for furtheraeration and/or mixing.

The apparatus 200 according to the present invention is thus essentiallydesigned to treat water-borne contaminants or alternatively to stimulatethe bioactivity of certain bioaugmentation products. The apparatus 200according to the present invention is believed to essentially comprisecertain housing means for housing contaminant-metabolizingmicroorganisms or bioaugmentation product(s). The housing means areexemplified by the roller cylinder assembly as a single unit or by thecylinder assembly array as a systemic assemblage of individual housingunits.

The apparatus 200 further preferably comprises certain positioning meansfor floatably positioning the housing means in superior adjacency to awater-borne contaminant. The positioning means are exemplified by thefloats 3 and 4 operably connected to the platform 1 via girders 2. Thegirders 2 have (hexagonal) pins 163 that may cooperate with (hexagonal)female structures 164 formed in the platform 1. Further, male pins 161formed on the girders 2 are received in pillow block type encased femalestructures 162 formed on the floats 3 and 4. Locking pins 6 may functionto hold the pins 161 within the structures 162. Shafts 14 are mounted tothe platform via the motor 13 and pillow block bearings 115 forpositioning the axis of rotation in parallel superior adjacency to thesurface 114 or water-borne contaminant.

The dipping or periodic means according to the present invention arebelieved essential and function to periodically dip the housing meansinto the water-borne contaminant or otherwise contact the housing meanswith the contaminant. The dipping means are exemplified by a number ofsub-assemblies or systems including the cylinder assembly arrays 155,the aeration hub assemblies 16, the shafts 14 about which the arrays 155and assemblies 16 rotate, the motor 13 that drives the rotation at 113,and the various power sourcing means as previously specified andexemplified. Together, the noted assemblies operate to effect a dippingaction, and thus may be said to exemplify certain dipping meansaccording to the present invention.

By way of the dipping action, the microorganisms are thereby beingexposed to the water-borne contaminants and oxygen, in which environmentthe microorganisms may readily metabolize the water-borne contaminant.

The apparatus 200, as earlier specified, preferably comprises at leastone roller cylinder assembly, each of which further preferably comprisesa radially inner cylindrical construction as at tube 122, which innercylinder construction has a micro-cylindrical axis 167 parallel to theaxis of rotation 112 at the radius of rotation 157. The roller cylinderassembly 18 according to the present invention further preferablycomprises a radially outer cylindrical construction as at casing 121.

While the radially inner cylindrical construction essentially functionsto house the microorganisms, the outer cylindrical constructionessentially functions to adsorb water-borne contaminants and incubatethe radially inner cylindrical construction. The porous, foam-based,outer cylindrical construction or casing 121 thus contributes to orotherwise enhances the metabolic activity of the microorganisms forreasons earlier specified.

The apparatus 200 has been specified as preferably comprising two (i.e.bow and stern based) cylinder assembly arrays 155 and aeration hubassemblies 16. It is believed that the essence of the invention iswell-practiced or demonstrated by a single aeration hub assembly 16and/or cylinder assembly array 15 according to the specifications setforth hereinabove.

Accordingly, the invention is believed to essentially comprise at leastone, but preferably two cylinder assembly arrays 155. A first cylinderassembly array 155 comprises a plurality of cylinder assembliessubstantially identical to the roller cylinder assembly arranged in acylindrical manner such that the micro-cylindrical axes 167 define acylindrical structure having a macro-cylindrical axis and amacro-cylindrical radius, the macro-cylindrical axis being coaxial withthe axis of rotation 112, the macro-cylindrical radius being coextensivewith the radius of rotation 157.

The aeration means as exemplified by the aeration hub assembly and itsvarious add-on features are, cooperable with the dipping means asearlier specified and exemplified for aerating and oxygenating thewater-borne contaminants for enhancing contaminant metabolism by themicroorganisms. The aeration means, for example, may be preferablyexemplified or defined by a basket construction 116 radially inwardrelative to the cylinder assembly array 155. The basket construction 116simultaneously aerates the water-borne contaminants while the dippingmeans dip the microorganism housing means into the water-bornecontaminants.

The apparatus 200 may further preferably comprise certain surface areaenhancement means intermediate the aeration means or basket construction116 and the cylinder assembly array 155. The aeration means or basketconstruction may preferably comprise radially outer liquid-lettingapertures as at slots 118. The surface area enhancement means, asexemplified by bristled, elastomeric ring bands essentially function toprovide greatly enhanced surface area attachment structure for returninga thin film type draining bioactive liquid or matter to the basketconstruction 16 from the cylinder assembly array 155 via theliquid-letting apertures 118. The surface area enhancement means thuslocalize and enhance metabolic activity of the microorganisms.

Preferably located at each end of the apparatus 200, is the basketconstruction preferably having a concave construction relative to theouter end(s) for vortexing 127 the water-borne contaminants 101 towardthe housing means for enhancing metabolic activity of themicroorganisms. Certain bioproduct ejection means, as exemplified by theassembly 158, selectively and adjustably ejecting bioproduct from eachroller cylinder assembly 18 of the cylinder assembly array 155. Thebioproduct ejection means are cooperable with the dipping means forperiodically actuating the bioproduct ejection means and periodicallydriving ejected bioproduct toward a microorganism metabolic activitysite.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference tocertain preferred embodiments and certain methodologies, it is notintended that the novel arrangement and methods be limited thereby, butthat modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling withinthe broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appendeddrawings.

I claim:
 1. A water-borne contaminant treatment method, the treatmentmethod comprising the steps of: housing contaminant-metabolizingmicroorganisms within a radially inner cylindrical construction of aroller cylinder assembly; positioning the roller cylinder assembly insuperior adjacency to a water-borne contaminant; periodically dippingthe roller cylinder assembly into the water-borne contaminant; adsorbinga contaminant-laden environment upon a radially outer cylindricalconstruction of the roller cylinder assembly, thereby enveloping theinner cylindrical construction with an adsorbed outer layer ofcontaminant substrate; exposing the microorganisms to the water-bornecontaminant and oxygen via periodic dipping action; metabolizing thecontaminant via the microorganisms in the presence of oxygen intoinnocuous matter; positioning an axis of rotation in parallel adjacencyto the water-borne contaminant, the step of periodically dipping theroller cylinder assembly into the water-borne contaminant being operableby cyclic rotation about the axis of rotation; and the roller cylinderassembly array being rotatable about the axis of rotation and having aradius of rotation extending into the water-borne contaminant, theroller cylinder assembly array being rotatable such that individualcylinder assemblies are periodically dipped into the water-bornecontaminant; and rotating the individual cylinder assemblies therebymixing the contents contained therein, the individual cylinderassemblies alternately rotating clockwise and counterclockwise.
 2. Thetreatment method of claim 1 comprising the step of incubating themicroorganisms within the inner cylindrical construction on a surface ofthe outer cylindrical construction to enhance the metabolic activity ofthe microorganisms.
 3. The treatment method of claim 1 comprising thestep of simultaneously aerating the water-borne contaminant with abasket construction while periodically dipping the roller cylinderassembly for enhancing contaminant metabolism by the microorganisms. 4.The treatment method of claim 3 comprising the step of vortexing thewater-borne contaminant with said basket construction, said basketconstruction being concave for enhancing metabolic activity of themicroorganisms.
 5. The treatment method of claim 3 comprising the stepof directing bioactive material through surface area enhancement meanssituated intermediate the basket construction and the roller cylinderassembly array for localizing and enhancing metabolic activity of themicroorganisms.
 6. The treatment method of claim 1 comprising the stepof ejecting bioactive material from the roller cylinder assembly via ahard roller cooperable with a shaft and motor assembly, said a shaft andmotor assembly for periodically actuating hard roller periodicallydriving ejected bioactive material toward a microorganism metabolicactivity site.
 7. A water-borne contaminant treatment method, thetreatment method comprising the steps of: housingcontaminant-metabolizing microorganisms in housing means; positioningthe housing means in superior adjacency to a water-borne contaminant;simultaneously aerating the water-borne contaminant with a basketconstruction while periodically dipping the housing means into thewater-borne contaminant; exposing the microorganisms to the water-bornecontaminant and oxygen via periodic dipping action; metabolizing thecontaminant via the microorganisms in the presence of oxygen intoinnocuous matter; ejecting bioactive material from the roller cylinderassembly via a hard roller: drawing air into the roller cylinderassembly after ejection, oxygenating the roller cylinder assembly; andcompressing the roller cylinder assembly thereby dissolving the oxygen.8. The treatment method of claim 7 comprising the step of simultaneouslyaerating the water-borne contaminant with the basket construction whileperiodically dipping the housing means for enhancing contaminantmetabolism by the microorganisms.
 9. The treatment method of claim 8comprising the step of vortexing the water-borne contaminant via thebasket construction, the basket construction being concave and having adiamond weave for enhancing metabolic activity of the microorganisms.10. A water-borne contaminant treatment method, the treatment methodcomprising the steps of: housing contaminant-metabolizing microorganismswithin a radially inner cylindrical construction of a roller cylinderassembly; positioning the roller cylinder assembly in superior adjacencyto a water-borne contaminant; periodically dipping the roller cylinderassembly into the water-borne contaminant; adsorbing a contaminant-ladenenvironment upon a radially outer cylindrical construction of the rollercylinder assembly, thereby enveloping the inner cylindrical constructionwith an adsorbed outer layer of contaminant substrate; exposing themicroorganisms to the water-borne contaminant and oxygen via periodicdipping action; metabolizing the contaminant via the microorganisms inthe presence of oxygen into innocuous matter; simultaneously aeratingthe water-borne contaminant with a basket construction whileperiodically dipping the roller cylinder assembly for enhancingcontaminant metabolism by the microorganisms; and vortexing thewater-borne contaminant with said basket construction, said basketconstruction being concave for enhancing metabolic activity of themicroorganisms.
 11. A water-borne contaminant treatment method, thetreatment method comprising the steps of: housingcontaminant-metabolizing microorganisms within a radially innercylindrical construction of a roller cylinder assembly; positioning theroller cylinder assembly in superior adjacency to a water-bornecontaminant; periodically dipping the roller cylinder assembly into thewater-borne contaminant; adsorbing a contaminant-laden environment upona radially outer cylindrical construction of the roller cylinderassembly, thereby enveloping the inner cylindrical construction with anadsorbed outer layer of contaminant substrate; exposing themicroorganisms to the water-borne contaminant and oxygen via periodicdipping action; metabolizing the contaminant via the microorganisms inthe presence of oxygen into innocuous matter; and ejecting bioactivematerial from the roller cylinder assembly via a hard roller cooperablewith a shaft and motor assembly, said a shaft and motor assembly forperiodically actuating hard roller periodically driving ejectedbioactive material toward a microorganism metabolic activity site.
 12. Awater-borne contaminant treatment method, the treatment methodcomprising the steps of: housing contaminant-metabolizing microorganismsin housing means; positioning the housing means in superior adjacency toa water-borne contaminant; simultaneously aerating the water-bornecontaminant with a basket construction while periodically dipping thehousing means into the water-borne contaminant; exposing themicroorganisms to the water-borne contaminant and oxygen via periodicdipping action; metabolizing the contaminant via the microorganisms inthe presence of oxygen into innocuous matter; simultaneously aeratingthe water-borne contaminant with the basket construction whileperiodically dipping the housing means for enhancing contaminantmetabolism by the microorganisms; and vortexing the water-bornecontaminant via the basket construction, the basket construction beingconcave and having a diamond weave for enhancing metabolic activity ofthe microorganisms.